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Global Activities: International Day of the Girl Child 2013

GLOBAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Eleven Days of Action
When: 1-11 October
Where: Virtual
What: As we count down to the International Day of the Girl, 11 Days of Action encourage young people around the world to take action and help advance girls' rights around the globe with a new action each day.
Organizers: Day of the Girl Summit Worldwide partnersMore information

Erasing Barriers to Girls' Education: Innovate 2 Educate
When: 11 October, 9:15-11:30 EST
Where: Danny Kaye Visitors Centre and UNICEF Courtyard, New York
What: This event will showcase innovative approaches and good practices for improving access to and quality of girls’ education around the world. Remarks will be given by Geeta Rao Gupta, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF; Vibeke Jensen, Head of the GEFI Secretariat & Senior Advisor, UNESCO; and Nigel Chapman, CEO, Plan International. Global ambassador for Plan's Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) campaign, actress Freida Pinto and a BIAAG Youth Ambassador will also deliver remarks.

Plan International’s Fresco, an interactive “erasable” billboard that portrays an image of girls working in a typical ‘sweatshop’, will also be revealed. The concept is based on the revelation of a second illustration – of girls in school – underneath it. It is slowly revealed by people using erasers.
Organizers: UNICEF and Plan InternationalMore information | Related video

Game Changers for Girls' Education
When: 11 October, 13:15-14:45 EST
Where: Diplomat Ballroom, ONE UN Hotel, New York
What: High-level event for enhanced commitment by global leaders to ensure that girls receive an education commensurate with their rights and the demands of the 21st century. Presentation of the Girl Declaration, capturing voices of girls regarding their space in the post-2015 agenda. Speakers include the Office of the Secretary-General; Amina Mohammed, UN Special Adviser on the Post- 2015 Framework; Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF; Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, UN Women; Wendy Hawkins, Executive Director, Intel Foundation; and Nigel Chapman, CEO, Plan International. Sejal Hathi and Tara Roberts, the founders of “girltank,” a community hub for women and girl change agents and social entrepreneurs, will also participate in the event.
Organizer: UNICEF and Plan International sponsored leadership forumMore information

Google Hangout with Anthony LakeWhen: 11 October, 9:00-10:00 EST
Where: A New York City High School, New York
What: UNICEF’s Executive Director, Anthony Lake, will participate in a live-streamed Google hangout from a New York City high school, where Mr. Lake will engage in a Q&A with students to discuss challenges and solutions related to girls’ education. Results from a “Hackathon” organized by UNICEF and Intel will be shared, and other students and youth will be able to send questions and comments online.
Organizer: UNICEFMore information

I am Malala: A Conversation with Malala Yousafzai on the Occasion of International Day of the Girl Child
When: 11 October, 13:00 EST
Where: World Bank Headquarters, (Livestream available on the Day)
What: Hosted by Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group. Here, Malala Yousafzai, the 16 year old educational campaigner from Swat Valley, Pakistan, will speak about her passionate fight for girls' education. One year ago, Malala was targeted by the Taliban and shot in the head as she was returning from school on a bus. She miraculously survived and continues her campaign for education. She is the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Organizer: World Bank GroupMore information

'Innovating for Girls' Education' E-discussion
When: 16 September - 4 October
Where: Virtual
What: The e-discussion aims to gather and learn about innovative approaches, ideas and solutions from different regions, countries and communities that help improve girls' education and their learning outcomes, particularly of those most disadvantaged.
Organizers: The Youth Advocacy Group of the United Nations Global Education First Initiative (GEFI), World We WantMore information

Link TV Special Programming
When: 11 October, 11:00 PST / 2:00 EST
Where: Virtual
What: In honor of International Day of the Girl Child, Link TV will air a special three-hour block of inspiring documentaries and shorts. Link TV will feature the following films that take viewers from rural Bangladesh to Zambia to war-torn Afghanistan to discover the enduring spirit of young women. In the line-up is the UNGEI video, To Educate a Girl by filmmakers Frederick Rendina and Oren Rudavsky who travel to Nepal and Uganda, two countries emerging from conflict and struggling with poverty, to find the answer to one question: What does it take to educate a girl?
Related resource: UNICEF US Fund curriculum guideMore information
'Speak Out' Event
When: 11 October, 15:00-17:00 EST
Where: United Nations Building, New York. (Livestream available on the Day)
What: This event will give girls the chance to speak with governments and UN Agencies about how they are making strides for girls in their community. Girls selected for the Girls Speak Out will share information about their strategies for creating change and they will talk about how the international community can support their efforts. Approximately half of the girls at the Speak Out will present on issues related “Innovating for Girls’ Education".
Organizer: Working Group on Girls (A Day of the Girl Summit partner)More information

REGIONAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

East Asia and Pacific Region - International Day of the Girl Child EventWhen: 11 October, 10:00-14:00 ICT
Where: Landmark Hotel, Bangkok
What: This event will not only celebrate the Day, but also highlight UNGEI's Global Policy Advocacy Agenda, and launch the East Asia and Pacific Regional UNGEI's region-specific action points on the four themes. Mr Daniel Toole (Regional Director, UNICEF East Asia Pacific Regional Office) will make opening remarks and heads of UN agencies, UNGEI partner organizations, and a youth speaker will also participate in the event.
Organizers: East Asia and Pacific Regional UNGEI
East Asia and Pacific Region - Because I am a Girl Campaign (BIAAG), International Day of the Girl Child Celebrations
When: 11 October, 17:00-20:05 ICT
Where: Marriot Hotel, Bangkok
What: Recognizing that girls empowerment, disasters/climate change and education are priority issues of any government, regardless of affiliation, guests of honour at this reception will address these issues, including Ms. Pavena Hongsakula (Minister of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand), Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva (Leader of the Democratic Party), and Her Excellency Kristie Kenney (US Ambassador to Thailand).
Organizer: Plan International Thailand

Eastern and Southern Africa Region - International Day of the Girl Child EventWhen: 11 October, 10:00 EAT
Where: Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi
What: This regional advocacy event brings together partners to celebrate girls, highlight challenges they continue to face and advocate for what needs to be done to achieve gender equality. The event aims to bring together all advocates for girls under one umbrella for a joint celebration.
Organizers: Plan International, Save the Children, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNGEI, UNICEF, and UN Women

Middle East and North Africa - Raising awareness for Syrian girl refugees' education
When: 7-11 October 2013
Where: Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco & region-wide
What: Across the Middle East, UNICEF is using the International Day of the Girl Child to highlight the issue of girls’ education for Syrian refugees. UNICEF has produced factographs, stories and portraits of Syrian girls which are being widely disseminated via social media.
Organizers: UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Office

Bhutan - Children's Consultation
When: 11 October
Where: Babesa Lower Secondary School, Thimphu, Bhutan
What: At this event, children will come up with recommendations for the Government to improve the situation of girls’ education, the recommendations will be read out on the Day. A panel discussion will be pre-recorded and aired on national television (BBS) to highlight issues of the girl child and this year’s theme, Innovate to Educate.
Organizers: UNICEF Bhutan, National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), and the Ministry of EducationMore information

Ghana - Tech Girls become advocates for education

When: 11 October 2013
Where: Nationwide
What: In recognition of the International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF Ghana released a feature story about Tech Girls, a group of young girl equipped to become young journalists and tell their stories via blogs and digital photography in order to advocate for change in their communities. UNICEF Ghana Country Representative wrote an Op-ed that was submitted to Ghana’s major national newspaper for publication. Members of the Tech Girls will also gather in Tamale, Northern Ghana, on Friday afternoon to take part in the Google Hangout with Executive Director Anthony Lake.
Organizers: UNICEF Ghana

Madagascar - Young Mothers Returning to School

When: 11 October 2013
Where: Sofia region
What: In Madagascar, the focus of the International Day of the Girl Child will be on young mothers who dropped out of school due to pregnancy but received scholarships to return to junior secondary school to continue their schooling. This theme was chosen in order to sensitize communities about the importance of girls' education, including single mothers. The main event will include speeches by the Mayor, the UNICEF East Africa Regional Directors for Education and Protection, a puppet show on girls' education and early pregnancy by UNFPA, a personal story from a young mother reintegrated back into school and open exhibitions on on youth services and education of girls.
Organizers: UNICEF Madagascar & UNFPA

Moldova - Including Roma Girls in School
When: 11 October 2013
Where: Nationwide
What: This year on the International Day of the Girl Child in Moldova is focusing on the inclusion of Roma girls in school, in order to promote diversity in schools and fight against stigma and discrimination. Journalists, young bloggers and the members of the Network of Child Friendly Journalists will participate in a field trip to document good practices in the field and to create public debates around the issue of Roma girls’ inclusion. A press release and social media activities will focus on featuring successful stories.
Organizer: UNICEF MoldovaMore information

Nepal - Cycling through the City to Empower GirlsWhen: 3 October
Where: Kathmandu, Nepal
What: A cycle rally for girls was organized to mark the Day. Over 100 girls from various parts of the countries participated. The event signifies women's self control over her mobility and the fact that women are independent, empowered and liberated.
Organizers: Cycle City Network Nepal, Plan International, and UNICEF as part of the Interagency Task TeamMore information

Norway - Girls' Right to Education: And then What?
When: 11 October, 8:30-12:30 CEST
Where: Oslo, Norway
What: This event explores 'How can Education Realize Girls' Right to Participate Fully in Society?' Among the list of activities, a keynote dialogue will also include Nora Fyles, Head of the UNGEI Secretariat. There will be a music performance and an interactive dialogue panel on 'Realizing Girls' Potential for Economic Participation and Empowerment: Solutions!'
Organizers: Plan Norway in collaboration with Norad and SAIH

Peru - Panel Discussion on the Demands and Challenges of a Quality education for Girls

When: 11 October 2013
Where: Lima
What: Through UNICEF’s participation in the Education Network for the Rural Girl, Florecer, Peru will convene a panel discussion on the demands and challenges of a quality education for Peruvian girls, and will hold a dialogue on education policy proposals focused on gender that aim to meet the educational needs of girls. The public in attendance will be mostly authorities and specialties from the Education Ministry, and teachers and students of education. The panel will consist of two parts. In the first half, there will be a video forum with gender and education specialists regarding the educational needs of girls and socioeconomic conditions that make it difficult to end EBR. In the second half, education policy recommendations focused on gender will be made to promote access; timely completion of EBR; violence-free schools; the participation and empowerment of girls; and a measure that guarantees equal opportunities for girl and boys.Organizers: UNICEF Panama, Education Network for the Rural Girl, Florecer, Education Ministry

Sierre Leone - Do it Differently! Promote Quality Education for Girls
When: 8 October – 11 October 2013
Where: Freetown, Bombali, Bo, Kenema, Kambia, Tonkolili and Pujehun
What: Community dialogue forums with children and other stakeholders will be held in seven districts on the benefits of educating the girl child. Women in the Media (WIMSAL), a network of local female journalists, will be undertaking various media and advocacy activities including orientation and rights media training for journalists, media discussions using radio and television, and sensitization and mobilization of motor bike riders, mini bus drivers, market women in all the four regions of the country. Girls in all the regions of the country will produce comic, drama and skits at community level with messages that promote their rights and welfare in their community. All these events will culminate in the main advocacy event on the 11th October, which will include girls making petitions to the President of Sierra Leone and key policy makers and speeches by various development organizations and agencies including UNICEF.
Organizers: UNICEF Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and a network of NGOs, civil society and the media under the umbrella of the Sierra Leone Girls Education Network (SLeGEN) and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs

Somalia - Google Hangout with Somali Girls Across the GlobeWhen: 11 October 2013
Where: Mogadishu, Norway & the UK
What: In honor of the International Day of the Girl, UNICEF Somalia is organizing its own Google Hangout between a school in Mogadishu and two other schools, one in the UK and another in Norway. Three Somali girls from each country will sit together to meet one another and exchange ideas, opinions and hopes. The chat will be recorded to be used on websites and other social media. Much like the concept of penpals, this is a way for children of similar ages to connect and learn more about those in other countries, but in this case, they are from the same culture – Somali culture – which is a very strong and quite unique culture, where, due to historical events, there are around 2million living in the diaspora. They will therefore discover some similarities and hopefully be a source of inspiration for each other.
Organizers: UNICEF Somalia, UNICEF United Kingdom National & UNICEF Norway

Turkey - Keeping Their Hopes Alive
When: 7-11 October 2013
Where: Nationwide
What: The panel discussion on 7 October is in collaboration with UNIC and Lions. The panel will focus on girls’ education, and will include panelists from UNFPA, UNICEF, EU Delegation, ICC and the Flying Broom (NGO). The discussions will cover girls’ education in relation to child marriages, innovative approaches, national and international legislation/violence against children. Additionally, in collaboration with the UN Communication group in Turkey and the NGO Flying Broom, there will be a social media discussion. Followers will be asked to complete the sentence "If a girl child doesn't go to school..." (In Turkish, #KizCocuklarOkumazsa ....) The following hastags will be used #dayofthegirl and Turkish versions #KizCocuklarOkumazsa #11Ekim.
Organizers: UNICEF Turkey, UNIC and Lions, UN Communication group and Flying Broom (NGO)